The Malawian government has declared a polio outbreak, raising concerns about a renewed resurgence of the disease just three years after the country faced a similar public health crisis.
Health authorities confirmed the outbreak after laboratory tests identified a new case of poliovirus, prompting emergency surveillance and vaccination measures. Officials said the response would focus on preventing further transmission and protecting vulnerable children, particularly those under the age of five.
Malawi had previously been declared polio-free, before a case detected in 2022 marked the country’s first outbreak in decades. That incident was linked to wider regional transmission in southern Africa and triggered mass immunisation campaigns supported by international partners, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF.
In a statement, the Ministry of Health said the latest case underscores the ongoing risk posed by polio in countries with gaps in routine immunisation coverage. “The detection of this virus is a reminder that polio remains a threat and that sustained vaccination efforts are critical,” the ministry said.
Polio is a highly infectious viral disease that mainly affects young children and can cause irreversible paralysis. While there is no cure, the disease is preventable through vaccination. Global eradication efforts have reduced cases by more than 99 per cent since the late 20th century, but outbreaks continue to occur, particularly in areas where health systems are under strain.
Health officials said genomic analysis would be used to determine whether the virus is linked to circulating strains elsewhere in the region. Cross-border transmission has previously been identified as a key factor in outbreaks across Africa, where population movement and uneven vaccine coverage remain challenges.
The government said it is working with international health agencies to strengthen surveillance, expand immunisation campaigns and raise public awareness. Emergency vaccination drives are expected to be rolled out in affected and high-risk districts in the coming weeks.
Public health experts warn that disruptions to routine healthcare services — including those caused by the Covid-19 pandemic — have left some communities more vulnerable to vaccine-preventable diseases. According to the WHO, millions of children worldwide missed scheduled vaccinations during the pandemic, increasing the risk of outbreaks of polio, measles and other infectious diseases.
Malawi’s health system has also faced pressure from recurrent cholera outbreaks, food insecurity and climate-related emergencies, which have strained resources and limited access to healthcare in rural areas.
Regional health bodies have emphasised the importance of coordinated responses to prevent further spread. Southern African countries have previously conducted synchronised vaccination campaigns to contain outbreaks and prevent re-establishment of the virus.
The WHO said that while Africa was certified free of wild poliovirus in 2020, cases of vaccine-derived poliovirus continue to pose a threat in several countries. These strains can emerge in under-immunised populations when weakened virus used in oral vaccines circulates for prolonged periods.
Malawian authorities urged parents and caregivers to ensure their children are fully vaccinated, stressing that immunisation remains the most effective defence against the disease.
“There is no cause for panic, but there is an urgent need for vigilance,” a senior health official said. “With swift action and public cooperation, we can stop this outbreak and prevent further cases.”
Discussion about this post